From The Blog

Gear up for fall with ideas from this tweetup

NYSUT’s second tweetup had locals sharing how they plan to engage members at the start of the school year.

Of course, you don’t have to wait until the start of the school year. Several locals organize events well before school starts. They offer new-member breakfasts or luncheons, and other events such as voter registration drives and book giveaways. Some locals actually wait a few weeks for the first “official” union meeting to get past the September rush of events. It’s all about what works for your members and it’s more important what you do at the meeting than when you have it.

Consider giving members items with your union logo — pens, pencils, coffee mugs are always welcome. Some locals give out t-shirts with the union logo. The Westhill District EA gives a flash drive with “The future is in your hands” inscribed.

Whenever you schedule your union meetings, have fun with them. Consider a union history contest to help members learn how fair the union has come, or what kind of proposals the union has beaten back in the past. Consider prizes for attendance.

What about bringing in guest speakers to union meetings? Obviously someone from another union, like CWA, or how about a community group like the American Cancer Society or United Way?

Consider a phone bank to welcome members back, provide information about events and allow for them to ask questions. This can be done any time of the year.

Consider sending out a video of important messages to members. Consider the content, if appropriate for the general public, tweet about it and post on Facebook.